Family Formation and Family Structure

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 1970 and 2005 the percentage of children living in two-parent families dropped from 85% to 68%. The Family Formation and Family Structure section explores key issues related to the changing family unit such as cohabitation, family formation and dissolution, and family stability that impact the well-being of families.

This section also highlights programs and approaches being utilized by the self-sufficiency field to address the needs of changing families including: fatherhood initiatives; teen pregnancy prevention programs; and other programs targeting low-income families and children.

View recommendations from the SSRC Librarian on Family Formation and Family Structure and relevant Federal laws and regulations below.

Healthy marriage and relationship and responsible fatherhood programs provide relationship and parenting education to low-income couples and fathers. Numerous research projects examine the implementation of such programs as well as their impact on child well-being and economic self-sufficiency. Click the phrases below to view selected research and resources relevant to each topic and self-sufficiency.

This webinar discussed effects of family structure and instability on early child wellbeing, the advantages and disadvantages of formal versus informal child support, and implications for policy and future research.

During this Webinar, Dr. Ybarra discussed her research on the use of cash welfare as a means-tested maternity leave program since the welfare reforms of the 1990’s and on paid leave programs and policies (temporary disability insurance, paid family leave) for new mothers. She also shared findings about the relationships between these programs and economic and material well-being for low-income single mothers with newborns.

This webinar discussed collateral consequences of paternal incarceration, including findings from two ongoing research projects that examine the relationship between paternal incarceration and harm to child wellbeing.